WOMAN CLAIMS DERBY TAXI DRIVER DROVE OFF RECKLESSLY WITH DOOR OPEN

A Derby woman claims she was left shaken after her New Year's Day taxi driver "drove off" with the passenger door open.

Footage has appeared on social media showing an alleged stand-off between revellers and a taxi driver, in Village Street, early on January 1, before the taxi suddenly drives off down the road with the front left-side door still open.

Susan Ford, of Littleover, says she was in the front passenger seat of the PJ Cars taxi and claims that, as she got in, he began driving without warning and with the door open.

Staff at PJ Cars have confirmed that a driver has been suspended after management saw the "reckless driving" in the video.

Ms Ford, 45, said: "I couldn't believe what was happening. It had been a really good night, everyone had seen in the New Year and then this all happened.

"He drove off while the car door was still open. He could have taken me anywhere.

"The whole thing has left me really shaken. It has put me off getting a taxi again."

Ms Ford said she had been helping her friend behind the bar at the Norman Arms on New Year's Eve and was getting a taxi home when the alleged incident happened.

Footage of the incident was uploaded to Facebook and appears to show a taxi drive away while the passenger door was still open.

The video ends as the car drives up the road and turns left.

Saraya Basi, 27, who captured the footage, said: "I didn't know the woman in the front of the car, but I did know her friend and when all this happened it was just crazy.

"Taxis are supposed to be safe and the ladies getting this one just didn't feel safe. What shocked me the most was the way he just drove off with the door open."

Muddasser Ahmed, manager of PJ Cars, confirmed that one of his drivers had been suspended.

He said: "We called the driver in on New Year's Eve and examined him. He had not been drinking, he did not smell of alcohol and he was sober.

"I suspended him for his reckless driving that is seen in the video clip.

"As far as I am concerned, that is absolutely not on and he will remain suspended until further notice while the police look into the incident.

"As a company, I want to plea to the readers that our drivers are very careful. We want people to be safe and we will not let one individual spoil this.

"I don't know what happened between the driver and the customers, I wasn't there, but I will not tolerate that type of driving and that is why he has been suspended.

"I want to know the exact story from the police. I have never seen driving like this and it upsets me to see it."

Officers from Derbyshire police are currently investigating the incident.

A spokesman from the force said: "We were called at around 2.15am on New Year’s Day to reports of an incident on Village Street in the Normanton area.

"Officers have spoken to both parties involved, and our enquiries are ongoing."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.